The French American Cultural Exchange (FACE) is seeking a Film Program Intern from February through July 2010, to assist with the The Tournées Festival.
Qualifications:
- Detail-oriented and ability to multi-task
- Strong communications skills (the work requires substantial communication, written and otherwise, with university professors)
- Computer proficiency, knowledge of Approach for Mac a plus.
- Interest in French and Francophone cinema.
- French language a plus.
For details, visit http://www.facecouncil.org/
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
Calls for Submissions!
SHORT and SAVORY: a mini festival of short films by women directors.
Women directors are invites to submit their work to Short and Savory, a mini festival that will take place in New York on February 24, 2010. Four films will be selected for presentation and cash awards: two fiction and two documentary works. Films must be 15 minutes or less.
Deadline: January 1, 2010
For more information, visit:
http://shortandsavoryfilms.com
NewFest
NewFest has been NYC's premier forum of international LGBT film since 1988.
Submissions of films/videos of any length and in any genre that are by, about, or of
interest to LGBT people are now being accepted for NewFest 2010: The 22nd
Anniversary New York LGBT Film Festival, which will take place June 3-13, 2010.
Early Deadline: January 4
For more information, visit:
http://newfest.org
Seed Grants: National Geographic All Roads Film Project
National Geographic All Roads Film Project offers seed grants for indigenous
storytellers. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to filmmakers for the
development and production of a film or video that showcases indigenous or
underrepresented minority culture storytellers.
Deadline: March 15
For more information, visit:
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=276100002
Women directors are invites to submit their work to Short and Savory, a mini festival that will take place in New York on February 24, 2010. Four films will be selected for presentation and cash awards: two fiction and two documentary works. Films must be 15 minutes or less.
Deadline: January 1, 2010
For more information, visit:
http://shortandsavoryfilms.com
NewFest
NewFest has been NYC's premier forum of international LGBT film since 1988.
Submissions of films/videos of any length and in any genre that are by, about, or of
interest to LGBT people are now being accepted for NewFest 2010: The 22nd
Anniversary New York LGBT Film Festival, which will take place June 3-13, 2010.
Early Deadline: January 4
For more information, visit:
http://newfest.org
Seed Grants: National Geographic All Roads Film Project
National Geographic All Roads Film Project offers seed grants for indigenous
storytellers. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to filmmakers for the
development and production of a film or video that showcases indigenous or
underrepresented minority culture storytellers.
Deadline: March 15
For more information, visit:
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=276100002
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
More Calls for Entry
Canadian Short Screenplay Competition
Enter your 1-15 minute screenplay (no more than 15 minutes in length). The winning script will be produced by Year of the Skunk Productions.
Visit http://www.screenplay-competition.com/ for more information.
Half-time Deadline is November 30th.
Final Deadline is December 31st.
L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival
Submit your short comedic film (under 30 minutes) to the L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival. The L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival is the largest comedy film festival in the U.S. Moviemaker Magazine's recently named it one of “25 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.”
Visit http://www.lacomedyshorts.com/lacs2010/about.htm for more information.
Absolute last Deadline: December 18th
Enter your 1-15 minute screenplay (no more than 15 minutes in length). The winning script will be produced by Year of the Skunk Productions.
Visit http://www.screenplay-competition.com/ for more information.
Half-time Deadline is November 30th.
Final Deadline is December 31st.
L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival
Submit your short comedic film (under 30 minutes) to the L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival. The L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival is the largest comedy film festival in the U.S. Moviemaker Magazine's recently named it one of “25 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.”
Visit http://www.lacomedyshorts.com/lacs2010/about.htm for more information.
Absolute last Deadline: December 18th
Monday, November 16, 2009
Call for Submissions
Screen Burns : On Screen Art Exhibition
JCIA Video Gallery
(Brooklyn NY)
This on-screen exhibition, juried by film and video artist Luis Gispert (Zach Furer, Mary Boone), celebrates all genres of 'screenable' artwork including film, video, animation, internet art, etc. All submissions will be screened inside the gallery. Artists that exhibit the strongest or most unique work will be invited to screen on the JCIA Video Gallery Street Projector which faces one of the busiest intersections in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Vitis http://www.jciavideo.com for more information.
Deadline is November 30th.
JCIA Video Gallery
(Brooklyn NY)
This on-screen exhibition, juried by film and video artist Luis Gispert (Zach Furer, Mary Boone), celebrates all genres of 'screenable' artwork including film, video, animation, internet art, etc. All submissions will be screened inside the gallery. Artists that exhibit the strongest or most unique work will be invited to screen on the JCIA Video Gallery Street Projector which faces one of the busiest intersections in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Vitis http://www.jciavideo.com for more information.
Deadline is November 30th.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Calls for Submissions and Grants!
Emerging filmmakers-- here are some places to submit your films!
Cinereach Grants Call for Film Submissions
Call for Submissions: Cinereach Grants
Each year Cinereach grants over $500,000 to well-crafted feature films that depict
underrepresented perspectives, resonate across international boundaries, and spark
dialogue. Grants usually range from $5,000 – $50,000 and are awarded to films at any
stage.
Letter of Inquiry Deadline: December 1
More Info: http://www.cinereach.org/grants
Call for Submissions : Rooftop Films
The 2010 Summer Series will run from May through September and will feature more
than 200 new films, all screened outdoors in parks, on boats, and on rooftops
overlooking the greatest city in the world. More than 25,000 people attended Rooftop
screenings in 2009, making it one of the biggest festivals for underground films in
the world.
Deadline: December 5 (earlybird)
Mire Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/submit.html
Call for Submissions: Scene: Brooklyn Film Series
BAC seeks short and feature narrative films, short and feature length documentaries,
animations, and video art from Brooklyn based filmmakers and artists.
Screenings are held at venues around downtown Brooklyn, including Galapagos Art
Space.
Deadline: January 11, 2010 (for flagship spring series.) Films submitted prior to
that date will be considered for the spring program, as well as for the seasonal
screenings at BAC Gallery and elsewhere.
More Info: http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/documents/44
Call for Submissions: The Women of African Descent Film Festival
The Women of African Descent Film Festival, co-presented with the Brooklyn Chapter
of the Links, seeks feature length and short films directed, written or produced by
female filmmakers of African descent. Submissions can be registered through the festival's
Withoutabox site, which also includes additional information about the event.
Deadline: January 11, 2010
More Info: http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/documents/1271
Cinereach Grants Call for Film Submissions
Call for Submissions: Cinereach Grants
Each year Cinereach grants over $500,000 to well-crafted feature films that depict
underrepresented perspectives, resonate across international boundaries, and spark
dialogue. Grants usually range from $5,000 – $50,000 and are awarded to films at any
stage.
Letter of Inquiry Deadline: December 1
More Info: http://www.cinereach.org/grants
Call for Submissions : Rooftop Films
The 2010 Summer Series will run from May through September and will feature more
than 200 new films, all screened outdoors in parks, on boats, and on rooftops
overlooking the greatest city in the world. More than 25,000 people attended Rooftop
screenings in 2009, making it one of the biggest festivals for underground films in
the world.
Deadline: December 5 (earlybird)
Mire Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/submit.html
Call for Submissions: Scene: Brooklyn Film Series
BAC seeks short and feature narrative films, short and feature length documentaries,
animations, and video art from Brooklyn based filmmakers and artists.
Screenings are held at venues around downtown Brooklyn, including Galapagos Art
Space.
Deadline: January 11, 2010 (for flagship spring series.) Films submitted prior to
that date will be considered for the spring program, as well as for the seasonal
screenings at BAC Gallery and elsewhere.
More Info: http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/documents/44
Call for Submissions: The Women of African Descent Film Festival
The Women of African Descent Film Festival, co-presented with the Brooklyn Chapter
of the Links, seeks feature length and short films directed, written or produced by
female filmmakers of African descent. Submissions can be registered through the festival's
Withoutabox site, which also includes additional information about the event.
Deadline: January 11, 2010
More Info: http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/documents/1271
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tips: Raising Money for your Short Film
So you had an idea and now you've written a screenplay, but you need money to continue to make your short film.
The good news is, digital technology has made filmmaking a more accessible medium. You don't actually need film to make your film. You can get HD Camcorders at every price point-- some prosumer cameras can be found for as little as $1300. So, although it would be great to have access to one, you don't need to spend $40,000 on a Red kit to make a quality movie.
What's more important is hiring a quality crew, beginning with a knowledgeable and experienced Director of Photography (DP). A skilled cinematographer with a low-end camcorder will always capture much better video than a non-skilled person with the most expensive camcorder. Your DP should be able to help you gather other crew members. But, capable crews cost money. And besides the crew, you'll also need to budget for actors, locations, equipment, editing and postproduction. Indeed, even a low budget film has some budget.
With that in mind, here are some tips for raising money for your film:
Find Investors
You may be able to find people who will front you money to make your film. The best investors will be passionate about your potential film, because they are film enthusiasts or they are personally invested in its subject, or they simply believe in you. If, instead, they are looking for a bottom-line profit, you should encourage them to go elsewhere.
Even those who believe in you most will want to see a clear outline of how you plan to make your short movie. Who is making it? How much will it cost? What is the audience? How will it be shot? How are you trying to distribute it? Jerry Kobler has some excellent pointers for writing a business plan for your independent film in his article on MovieMaker.com.
Then, make sure you involve your investors in the process: ask them if they'd like to be extras in the film. Invite them to preview screenings. Update them about your progress via e-mail newsletters. Thank them. They should feel that they are a part of something important and special, even if it doesn't ultimately generate them money.
And, make sure you are doing everything legally. From Reel to Deal by Dov S-S Simens gives an overview of all of the legal, business and insurance issues involved with filmmaking and provides a list of resources... You may want to call in a favor with a friend who is a lawyer.
And speaking of favors, that brings us to our next tip:
Call in some favors
Funding your short film is not simply about raising money; it's also about saving money. One way you can do this is to cash in on any favors owed to you. Do you know someone with an apartment that would be a perfect set for dinner party scene? Does your friend have a van she'd be willing to let you borrow to haul equipment? Will your brother make some of his fantastic sandwiches for the cast and crew to eat on days when you're shooting? Is your cousin a musician who could provide you with a royalty-free soundtrack? Remind your friends about how you helped them move/ gave them a free place to stay/ photographed their wedding for free/ brought them soup when they were sick or whatever it is you did, and ask them to return the favor. Or, if you haven't been a particularly generous friend, see if you can barter something now for their services: photoshop lessons, office work, and homemade dinners are all valuable commodities. And, remember, give them credit in the film's credits. A thank you on the screen goes a long way.
Still need money? Try to:
Get a Grant
Look for grants that are more specific to you or your projects. Grants can be location-specific, gender-specific, ethnicity-specific or subject-specific. The New York Foundation for the Arts has an amazingly comprehensive directory, NYFA Source, for grants, professional development programs, equipment access, etc.
When writing your grant proposal, as with your investors' packet, clearly define your project.
If possible, contact the granters: request guidelines and inquire about their decision process.
Submit everything so that it is formatted exactly as they ask for it, and make sure you submit on time. Don't give the granting organization a reason to immediately discard your application.
Finally, Don't get discouraged.
Raising the money for your film is one of the most difficult aspects of filmmaking, and even if your budget of $5,000 is small compared with the Lord of the Rings budget of $270 million, that $5000 can still feel daunting when you aren't sure where you're going to get it. Take solace in the fact that if you can get through the fund-raising, you've gotten though the hardest part. The actual filmmaking will be cake.
Good luck!
The good news is, digital technology has made filmmaking a more accessible medium. You don't actually need film to make your film. You can get HD Camcorders at every price point-- some prosumer cameras can be found for as little as $1300. So, although it would be great to have access to one, you don't need to spend $40,000 on a Red kit to make a quality movie.
What's more important is hiring a quality crew, beginning with a knowledgeable and experienced Director of Photography (DP). A skilled cinematographer with a low-end camcorder will always capture much better video than a non-skilled person with the most expensive camcorder. Your DP should be able to help you gather other crew members. But, capable crews cost money. And besides the crew, you'll also need to budget for actors, locations, equipment, editing and postproduction. Indeed, even a low budget film has some budget.
With that in mind, here are some tips for raising money for your film:
Find Investors
You may be able to find people who will front you money to make your film. The best investors will be passionate about your potential film, because they are film enthusiasts or they are personally invested in its subject, or they simply believe in you. If, instead, they are looking for a bottom-line profit, you should encourage them to go elsewhere.
Even those who believe in you most will want to see a clear outline of how you plan to make your short movie. Who is making it? How much will it cost? What is the audience? How will it be shot? How are you trying to distribute it? Jerry Kobler has some excellent pointers for writing a business plan for your independent film in his article on MovieMaker.com.
Then, make sure you involve your investors in the process: ask them if they'd like to be extras in the film. Invite them to preview screenings. Update them about your progress via e-mail newsletters. Thank them. They should feel that they are a part of something important and special, even if it doesn't ultimately generate them money.
And, make sure you are doing everything legally. From Reel to Deal by Dov S-S Simens gives an overview of all of the legal, business and insurance issues involved with filmmaking and provides a list of resources... You may want to call in a favor with a friend who is a lawyer.
And speaking of favors, that brings us to our next tip:
Call in some favors
Funding your short film is not simply about raising money; it's also about saving money. One way you can do this is to cash in on any favors owed to you. Do you know someone with an apartment that would be a perfect set for dinner party scene? Does your friend have a van she'd be willing to let you borrow to haul equipment? Will your brother make some of his fantastic sandwiches for the cast and crew to eat on days when you're shooting? Is your cousin a musician who could provide you with a royalty-free soundtrack? Remind your friends about how you helped them move/ gave them a free place to stay/ photographed their wedding for free/ brought them soup when they were sick or whatever it is you did, and ask them to return the favor. Or, if you haven't been a particularly generous friend, see if you can barter something now for their services: photoshop lessons, office work, and homemade dinners are all valuable commodities. And, remember, give them credit in the film's credits. A thank you on the screen goes a long way.
Still need money? Try to:
Get a Grant
Look for grants that are more specific to you or your projects. Grants can be location-specific, gender-specific, ethnicity-specific or subject-specific. The New York Foundation for the Arts has an amazingly comprehensive directory, NYFA Source, for grants, professional development programs, equipment access, etc.
When writing your grant proposal, as with your investors' packet, clearly define your project.
If possible, contact the granters: request guidelines and inquire about their decision process.
Submit everything so that it is formatted exactly as they ask for it, and make sure you submit on time. Don't give the granting organization a reason to immediately discard your application.
Finally, Don't get discouraged.
Raising the money for your film is one of the most difficult aspects of filmmaking, and even if your budget of $5,000 is small compared with the Lord of the Rings budget of $270 million, that $5000 can still feel daunting when you aren't sure where you're going to get it. Take solace in the fact that if you can get through the fund-raising, you've gotten though the hardest part. The actual filmmaking will be cake.
Good luck!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Faculty Updates
Honeytrap, directed by the MPS Live Action Short Film Program's chair, Bob Giraldi, and edited by faculty member Patrick Burns, Jr., will premiere at the 18th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival on Thursday, November 19th.
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